Sixteen injured after ex-student opens fire at high school in Turkey
Sixteen Injured After Ex-Student Opens Fire at High School in Turkey
A high school in southeastern Turkey reported at least 16 injuries following an ex-student’s violent attack. The assailant, a teenager in his late teens, fired a shotgun without discrimination before fatally shooting himself, according to local governor Hasan Şildak. Among the victims were 10 students, four teachers, a cafeteria worker, and a police officer.
Timeline and Location of the Attack
The shooting took place around 09:30 local time (06:30 GMT) at the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the Siverek district. The school was swiftly evacuated after the incident, and the injured were transported to hospitals. Five of the victims were later moved to different facilities for specialized treatment.
Details from the Scene
“He was a kid, about 17-18 years old. Suddenly, he walked through the front door of the school yard. As soon as he entered, he pulled out a gun. It was a long, stocky one, like one of those pump-action shotguns with rims,”
A witness described the attacker’s actions to IHA News. The shooter began firing indiscriminately, first targeting the school grounds before entering buildings. He continued shooting anyone who approached, causing panic and chaos among the staff and students.
Student Accounts of the Attack
“First we threw ourselves to the ground, then two of us jumped out of the window. He didn’t say anything to us, he just came in and started shooting,”
Ömer Furkan Sayar, one of the wounded students, recounted the event to TRT, Turkey’s state broadcaster. He revealed the gunman entered at least two classrooms, including his own, before escalating the violence. The sudden onslaught left students and teachers scrambling for safety.
Investigation and Background
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the attack. Şildak emphasized that the perpetrator had no criminal record and that the school was regarded as a secure environment by law enforcement prior to the incident.
